Hot Topics:

Fitchburg State's Sue Lauder named Division 3 Under Armour Athletic Director of the Year

By Matt Stewart, Correspondent

Updated:
03/17/2017 06:33:17 AM EDT

FITCHBURG -- For anyone who hasn't visited Fitchburg State University in the past two decades, a tour of the facilities and a glance at the athletic program's offerings would be certain to leave them impressed.

Sue Lauder has served as the director of athletics for the past 21 years, overseeing a period of substantial growth, development and success in the school's athletics programs. Now, national observers haven taken notice of all of that work.

Earlier this month, the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA) named Lauder its NCAA Division 3 Under Armour Athletic Director of the Year. The award went to four athletics directors representing every level of collegiate athletics, including non-NCAA programs.

The NACDA will honor Lauder and the other recipients at the James Corbett Awards Luncheon in Orlando, Florida, on June 13.

"I think this recognition speaks to the support we've had, and I've had, since we've been here," Lauder said. "We've had presidents who have been supportive, and senior staff that has been supportive. It's been a great situation, and all I'm doing is representing the school."

During Lauder's tenure, Fitchburg State started two new athletic programs -- women's lacrosse and women's volleyball. Volleyball had its inaugural season in 2016, and will become a full-fledged NCAA team in 2017. Under Lauder, Fitchburg State has actively searched for ways to improve the resources available to student-athletes.

Advertisement

"Since I've been here we started a couple of new programs for women to increase our opportunities for the women students," Lauder said. "Many people think athletics stays the same, but the standards change. We've stayed on top of expansion of programs, things like additional games that are allowed, and opportunities to go to tournaments."Another major improvement under Lauder's oversight has come in regard to the school's athletic facilities, whether through upgrading existing buildings or beginning new construction. Better facilities not only benefits the students currently attending Fitchburg State, but also makes the school more appealing for future enrollment. The most recent examples of this during Lauder's tenure include the revitalization of the Gaetz Arena at the Wallace Civic Center, the installation of artificial FieldTurf at Elliot Field, and an upcoming project to transformation of the Landry Arena into a year-round athletics facility for student-athletes.

"Our facilities are one of our best assets, I think," Lauder said. "We're continuing to work on those, and it's something that the folks here have good vision for. We've had some pretty significant improvements to our athletic facilities, and that's from up on campus in the corner office."

Lauder also works to improve the college experience for students throughout the country, taking part in committees on a national scale, efforts that have included membership in the Division 3 women's basketball committee, legislative committees, as well as finance and rules oversight capacities. The Eastern Collegiate Athletic Conference (ECAC) named Lauder its Athletic Director of the Year in 2016. Another goal for Lauder is to extend athletic improvements beyond just the school's varsity athletes, instead promoting physical activity among the student body as whole. The school's recent facility expansion and upgrades allow for increased recreational opportunities for all of Fitchburg State's students, encouraging active and healthy living.

Lauder helps to instill a message that student-athletes are ambassadors to the school, and she makes it a priority to encourage a positive image and urge the student-athletes to embrace the opportunity of their role as representatives of the school.

"Every year we talk about what the word is on their uniform," Lauder said. "It's not just the university; it's the city, the community and the coaches. I often tell them that I have 350 children, and I take it seriously and personally what they do on the court or off the court. I need them to represent all of us in a positive manner."

At a relatively small school, Lauder wears many hats. It's hard work, but it also affords her the opportunity to interact with students on a daily basis, building relationships that a larger institution might not afford.

"If I'm in there doing something with the students, then I can build a relationship. If I'm locked in my office, I can't," Lauder said. "Fortunately, with the way this job is, I have some home-game management responsibilities. I attend a huge percentage of the games, so I see the athletes doing what they do.

"They practice to be able to perform, and I see them perform. That type of support is not written into my job description, but not doing it would seem inappropriate."

Welcome to your discussion forum: Sign in with a Disqus account or your social networking account for your comment to be posted immediately, provided it meets the guidelines. (READ HOW.)
Comments made here are the sole responsibility of the person posting them; these comments do not reflect the opinion of The Sentinel and Enterprise. So keep it civil.